United have already made plans to replace De Gea should his contract talks continue to stall by lining up Victor Valdes.

Former Barcelona keeper Valdes, 32, has been training with United in a bid to prove he is fully recovered from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in March, which prompted Barca to allow his contract to expire.

(Image: Clive Brunskill)

The former Spanish international has been given encouragement that he will be handed an 18-month deal by United and is looking for a house in the Manchester area.

He has also told friends in Spain that he isn’t going to England to be a back-up for De Gea.

United boss Louis van Gaal knows Valdes well from his stint in charge of the Catalan club.